F1 returns to Malaysia after nine years alongside Le Tour de Langkawi and KLSCM marathon in early October
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian sports fans are set for a sporting extravaganza in early October as three major events namely Formula 1 (F1), Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026 and the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2026 take centre stage within the span of a week.
The spotlight will undoubtedly be on F1, with the world’s premier motorsport championship making its highly anticipated stop and return to Malaysia after nine years at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 2 to 4.
The event, which is known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP), is expected to attract thousands of fans and international visitors, while rekindling excitement over the race in Malaysia after it was last staged at SIC in 2017.
On Sunday, Malaysia was confirmed as the host of the Bahrain GP following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The event will be subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
The agreement allows the Bahrain GP to remain on the 2026 F1 calendar after it was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical stresses in West Asia.
SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017 before it was removed from the calendar due to rising hosting costs and licensing fees.
The excitement will coincide with the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026 scheduled from Sept 27 to Oct 4.
As one of Asia’s most prestigious cycling race, the 30th edition of LTdL will feature 20 teams, comprising WorldTeams, ProTeams, Continental Teams and national squads.
LTdL 2026 will pass through eight states across Peninsular Malaysia over a total distance of 1,258.5 kilometres (km) and will feature the iconic ascent of Gunung Jerai in Kedah for the first time in the Second Stage.
The race will kick off on Sept 27 with Shah Alam-Kampar (193.0 km) followed by Taiping-Gunung Jerai on Sept 28 (145.6 km); Sungai Petani-Kuala Kangsar on Sept 29 (189.9 km); Meru Raya-Cameron Highlands on Sept 30 (140.1 km); Tapah-Genting Highlands on Oct 1 (125.7 km); Pandan Indah-Rembau on Oct 2 (121.3 km); Melaka-Batu Pahat on Oct 3 (159.1 km) and Muar-Putrajaya on Oct 4 (183.8 km).
Adding to the excitement is the KLSCM 2026 on Oct 3 and 4, which is expected to bring together tens of thousands of runners from Malaysia and abroad for the country’s premier annual road-running events.
The rare convergence of the three events is set to create one of the busiest sporting weekends in the country’s recent history, with motorsport, cycling and running enthusiasts each having a marquee event to look forward to.
The packed schedule is also expected to provide a boost to Malaysia’s sports tourism sector, with increased visitor arrivals likely to benefit hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other tourism-related businesses.
While anticipation continues to build, the public should also brace for temporary road closures and traffic diversions, particularly across the Klang Valley, as authorities make the necessary preparations to facilitate the smooth running of the three major sporting events.
For sports fans, the first week of October promises a celebration unlike any other, with world-class action taking place on the racetrack, the open road and the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
